MUNICH, February 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --For the seventh successive year, Intersolar Europe is using the Intersolar AWARD to pay tribute to the solar industry's exceptionally innovative solutions. 2014 once again sees companies and projects being honored that have set a particularly inspiring example in driving forward the energy transition. This year, the innovation prize is being awarded in the categories of Photovoltaics and Solar Projects. In addition, the electrical energy storage (ees) AWARD is being presented by Intersolar for the very first time. Companies wishing to apply for the Intersolar AWARD may make their submissions between February 1 and March 28, 2014.

2014 sees the Intersolar AWARD enter its seventh year. Since its introduction, a total of 528 innovations from 40 countries worldwide have been submitted for the prize and the accolade has been awarded to 59 services, products and projects that not only present a particular benefit to society and the environment, but also offer economic advantages and boast a high level of technical innovation. In order to propel trends and key topics for the future, the Solar Projects in India and North America category was introduced in 2012, followed by the Solar Projects in Europe category in 2013. This year, Intersolar is presenting the electrical energy storage (ees) AWARD for the very first time. The prize winners in the categories of Photovoltaics and Solar Projects in Europe as well as the winners of the electrical energy storage (ees) AWARD are being announced at an official ceremony at Intersolar Europe in Munich on June 4, 2014.

Intersolar AWARD: The barometer of the solar industry

According to the Hamburg-based Federal Network Agency, 2013 saw an average capacity of 300 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaics being installed each month in Germany alone. In terms of the amount of capacity added worldwide in 2014, IHS Inc., Englewood, USA is forecasting the highest growth in the photovoltaics industry since 2011, predicting an addition of around 40 gigawatts (GW). Figures indicate a significant increase in the USA and China in particular. For example, the Mercom Capital Group, Austin, USA estimates an addition of 6 GW in the USA in 2014 and the Chinese Bureau of Energy, Beijing, China anticipates that a total of more than 12 GW will be added in China this year. In order for the share of photovoltaics in the energy supply to keep rising worldwide, affordable module prices and increasing installation efficiency will prove decisive, as too will solutions to future challenges. This requires solar energy to be integrated into the energy mix and the power grids, as well as for it to be complemented with storage solutions. Every year, the applications for the Intersolar AWARD bear testament to the speed of innovation in the sector. "From cells and services to projects, the quality of submissions is astounding. Each year, the Intersolar AWARD serves as the indicator of the most relevant developments in the industry," explains Intersolar AWARD jury member Prof. Michael Powalla, a qualified engineer from the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research. However, the innovation prize is more than simply a guide to the sector. "Companies apply for the Intersolar AWARD because the prize carries a lot of weight within the industry itself. Those who win it use it to showcase and market their company," says jury member Dr. Matthias Vetter, Director of PV Off-Grid Solutions and Battery System Technology at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE.

Storing solar energy represents one of the energy transition's greatest challenges. Together, Intersolar Europe and electrical energy storage (ees) are therefore the ideal platform for publicizing the entire supply chain of innovative battery and energy storage system technologies, from components to production through to concrete examples of application. Added to this is the electrical energy storage (ees) AWARD. The electrical energy storage (ees) AWARD honors innovative products and solutions, e.g. components of a product or a technical innovation in the fields of materials, production, systems, applications, second use or recycling.

Selection process and award ceremony

This year's prize winners are being chosen in a two-stage selection process, which begins after the closing date for entries. Firstly, an expert panel selects up to ten finalists in each area. To be short listed, applicants must demonstrate that their product or project centers on a groundbreaking and unique solution. The jury also bases its decision on how the project can benefit society and the environment, as well as the resulting economic benefits and level of technical innovation. An jury of experts involved in science, industry, research and the trade media select up to three winners from the finalists in each category.

Prize winners in the categories of Photovoltaics and Solar Projects in Europe as well as the winners of the electrical energy storage (ees) AWARD are set to be chosen at an official ceremony at Intersolar Europe in Munich on June 4, 2014. The winners in the categories of Solar Projects in North America and Solar Projects in India are being announced at Intersolar North America 2014 and Intersolar India 2014 respectively.

Participation conditions for the Intersolar AWARD and the ees AWARD 2014

Participation is open to products, projects, services and solutions developed by the exhibitors at all Intersolar exhibitions worldwide and is also open to exhibitors at ees - electrical energy storage 2014. Refinements of products and services previously presented at the exhibition can also be submitted. Entries must have undergone industrial trials or already be in industrial use.

Projects on the topics of Industrial and Commercial Use of Photovoltaics, Industrial and Commercial Use of Solar Thermal Applications and Photovoltaics and Energy Storage may be submitted for the Solar Projects in Europe category. For applications to be valid, projects must be fully completed and no older than two years at the time the application for the Intersolar AWARD is submitted.

Companies wishing to apply for the Intersolar AWARD and the electrical energy storage AWARD can find more information on the homepage at http://www.intersolarglobal.com/award. All applications must be submitted between February 1 and March 28, 2014.

About Intersolar

With events spanning four continents, Intersolar is the world's leading exhibition series for the solar industry and its partners. It unites people and companies from around the world with the aim of increasing the share of solar power in our energy supply.